Molding apparatus.



Patented Aug. 22, I899.

s. u. ADAMS.

MOLDING APPARATUS.

(Applicntionflled July 23, 1891.

(No Model.)

1 a: WORRY" vz'rgm cc, PHOTO-LIINQ, WASKINGTON, a, c

No. 63l,493. Patented Aug. 22, I899.

S. J. ADAMS; momma APPARATUS. [Application filed July 28, 18 91 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 THE mum's MYERS c0 PHOYO-LITHDN wnsums'ron, D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

STEPHEN JARVIS ADAMS, OF PITTSHURG, PEJNSYLVANIA.

MOLDING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,493, dated August 22, 1899.

Application filed July 23, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, STEPHEN JARVIS ADAMS, a resident of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Molding Apparatus; and I do hereby declare. the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the making of sand molds, and especially the making of what might be termed long vertical m olds in one-part flasks, such as molds for pipe-balls, wagon-boxes, andlike cylindrieal castings. Its object is to provide a means for pressing these molds by which the sand can be compacted properly, even in these long flasks, by pressure applied in 0pposite directions around the pattern.

The invent-i on consists in certain apparatus having among its principal features a reservoir below the main flask, a reservoir above the main flask, and pressing-plates or packers moving longitudinally within said reservoirs to force the sand from the same into the main flask, a packer having a pocket or cavity to receive the surplus sand above the pattern and. prevent the undue packing of the sand at such point within the mold, such pocket being preferably formed of a yielding surface in the pressing-plate, so that even when such pocket is employed suitable pressure for packing that part of the mold may be obtained, mechanism for compressing the sand not only around the pattern, but within the same, so as to provide for the formation ,of the core of the mold at the same time that the mold-cavity is formed, and certain otherimprovements in-the apparatus, all of which will be more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

To enable others skilled in the art to-make and use myinvention, I will describe the same more fully, referring -to the accompanying drawings, in which- A Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of molding apparatus embodying my invention,sl1owing the position of the parts for the compacting pressure. Fig. 2 is a like view of the same apparatus when the sand is compacted and forced within the flask. Figs. 3 and 4: are like views of another form of apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 5 and 6 are like Serial in. 400,454. int model) views of another form of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 7 shows the coinpleted mold formed in accordance with Figs.

1 and 2, and Fig. 8 shows the completed mold formed in accordance with Figs. 5 and 6.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts. I will describe my invention more particularly in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, which embody generally all the improvements included within the present application. In said figures, a is a table, and the lower reservoir 1) forms part of or rests on the same, the flask 0 being placed upon this reservoirand above the flask the upper reservoir (1. The table a is in said figure made stationary, though it may be vertically movable, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, if desired.

The pattern 2 (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) is for making that class of molds in which the core is formed at the same time with the formation of the mold and out of the same body of sand, and the pattern is therefore tubular or hollow, having the central passage f, into which the sand enters and within which the core of the mold is formed. Fitting around the pattern e and between it and the reservoir b is the bottom pressing-plate g, and fitting within the space f of the pattern is the central or independent pressing-plate 72 these pressing-plates being connected by bars g h with the vertically movable frame 9 by which the pressing-plate, may be forced upwardly within the reservoir 1), The pressingplates g h fit around and within the pattern e neatly, and in order to prevent wear of the part of the pattern which forms the mold and core I prefer to enlarge the base 6 of the pattern interiorly and exteriorly, so that the faces with which said pressing-plates contact shall extend slightly beyondthe main body of the pattern, which can pass through the pressing-plates without contacting therewith. I prefer to move the pattern in the first steps of the formation of the mold, either together with or separately from the pressing plate or plates, to compact the sand in the central partof the mold by its friction'with the pattern and when the pattern is advanced the desired distance to advance the pressing plate parted to the pattern.

which the necessarymovement may be in]- In some cases, however, the pattern may be stationary and secured directly to the table a. The top pressing plate or plunger is secured to any suitable pressing mechanism and is adapted to enter the upper end of the top reservoir d and force the sand downwardly into the flask. This top pressing-plate fits neatly within the upper reservoir d, and it may either have a plain top face or may have formed therein the sand-pockets 70, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or it may have what may be termed a yielding pocket 7.1 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

In Fig. 1, I employ a tubular or hollow pattern, that is a pat-tern forming its own core, the pocket 70' being formed directly above the tapering upperend of the pattern and is annular, corresponding to the pattern itself, and so providing space for the pressure of the sand directly above the pattern into such pocket and preventing that part of the sand from being compacted to too great a degree. The

, pressing plate or plunger 7; is preferably provided with lugs 70 thereon, which by coming in contact with the upper edge of the reservoir (Z check the further downward movement of the pressing plate or head.

In forming molds in accordance with my invention with the apparatus above described the parts are placed in the position shown in Fig. 1, except that the pressinghead 70 is raised out of the way, and sand is fed to the flask and both reservoirs, filling the same and filling the annular spacef within the pattern. The pressing-head 7c is then brought into position, and the apparatus is ready for the molding operation. By any suitable lever, cam, or crank mechanism the pressing-head 7c is then forced downwardly and the pressing-plates g and h forced upwardly until they force all the sand in the reservoirs d and 1) into the main flask 0, so compacting the sand within the flask by forcing it into thesame in opposite directions and around the pattern 6, which extends within the flask. Where the pattern 6 is mounted on the frame e which is the preferred construction, during the first movement of the bottom pressing-plates it is forced upwardly the desired distance, so compacting the sand immediately in contact therewith. As the pattern travels upwardly by its friction on the sand it assists materially in compacting the sand in the central part of the flask, and then the pressing-plates by advancing around and within the pattern, which remains stationary, act to compact the sand at the base of the pattern. During this operation it will be noticed that if a plain pressing-head 7o were employed the sand between the same and the upper edge of the pattern would be compacted comparatively more than the rest of the sand. To prevent this, the sand rises within the pocket 70 in the pressing-head, and consequently the liability of packing the sand too tightly around the upper edge of the pattern is prevented. During the operation as the sand has been filled around or around and within the pattern it will be apparent that the body of sand is brought approximately to the necessary shape before the pressing operation, and by forcing the sand thus brought approximately to shape in opposite directions into the flask it is found that the sand may be packed suiiiciently throughout the body of the flask to form a well-packed mold. At the same time as the sand is confined within the space f of the pattern e and that body of sand is also forced upwardly, while the sand above it is forced downwardly by the packing-head 70, I am enabled to form the central core from the same body of sandas that from which the mold is formed. When the mold is completed, the pressing-head is raised, and while the pressing-plates g and h are still in their raised position the pattern a is drawn downwardly, so as to free it from the sand, so leaving the finished mold resting upon the packers g and 7L. The flask can then be lifted from the mold and placed upon any suitable sand-bed or drag having an even level surface of sand thereon, as shown in Fig. '7. When the mold is completed, the core Z, formed in the manner above described, rests upon the sand-bed or drag, while the moldcavity Z is formed within the flask c, the drag Z forming the base of the mold-cavity. The shape of the mold-core and drag may of course be varied as desired. It will be noticed that in Fig. 7 the drag-flask t, inclosing the drag or sand-bed l, is larger than the cope-flask o in which the mold is made. Such construction is employed to enable the operator to lift this drag-flask from the drag after the cope or its flask are placed therein, as the drag will not require a desk, because it is shallow and will sufficiently support the cope. The drag-flask is entirely independent of the copeflask and suflieiently large to pass around the same. In Figs. 3 and 4 practically the same operation is carried on, though the mold itself differs from the mold shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the actual movements of the parts also differ slightly, as will be pointed out. The table a is mouutedon suitable guideways a, so that it is vertically movable thereon, and is supported by suitable springs a fitting around said guide -bars, and the pressingplate being also supported on guide-bars g,.the guide-bars a and the guide-bars g be-' ing rigidly secured to the frame g which is stationary. By such construction the bottom pressing-plate 9 remains stationary, while the flask is forced downwardly around it, so practically giving the upward pressure of the bottom pressing-plate. The main flask c has lugs 0 formed thereon, which are forced against the guide-bars a when. the flask is forced downwardly,so stopping the downward movement of the flask, and the pattern 6 extends through the table a and is preferably supported by a spring e in the position shown in Fig. 3, being so arranged to yield, as hereinafter described. The pattern extends to the upper endof the top reservoir 41 and the pressing-head 7o enters said reservoir in the .manner above described, said pressing-head having the openingk fithrough which the upperv end 6 of the pattern may pass during the pressing operation, said upper end 6 of the pattern preferably having substantially vertical walls and forming the upper print of the mold. The pressing-head It has the lugs to press upon the top edge of the upper reservoir d.

As so constructed the operation is as follows: Thespringssurroundingthegu'ide-bars a and g and the springsupporting the main pattern ehold these several parts in the raised position shown in Fig. 3, and while so supported the'sand is filled within the main flask c and the reservoirs Z) and d. The pressinghead is is then brought into position, and through suitable mechanism said pressinghead is forced downwardly, entering within the reservoir d. As it is forced downwardly the pressure exerted is suflicient to carry the' flask and the two reservoirs b and (1 down with it, the pressure forcing down the table ct against the pressure of the supportingsprings, so that as'the motion is continued the pressing-plate g forces the sand from the lower reservoir 12 up into the main flask c and the pressing-head It forces the sand downwardly from the upper reservoir 61 into the main flask. As the operation continues the. end or head e? of the pattern will be forced through the plunger-head and into contact with the stop formed by the base of the yoke 7.2 and the pattern will itself then be forced down, as shown in Fig. 4. The pressure of the plunger-head Z0 is continued until the lugs c of the flask strike against the bars a and the plunger head is forced entirely through the top reservoir, when all the sand contained in both reservoirs will have been forced into the main flask. The pressinghead is then raised, when the springs will act to raise the flask and the finished mold may be lifted from the apparatus.

In Figs-5 and 6 practically the same apparatus is shown, difiering, only inone or two particulars. In said figures the table a is stationary, and the pressing-plate g is raised, and with it the pattern e, the pressing-plate having also an annular shoulder m to form the cope-print of the mold, it being of course understood that the necessarycope-print can be formed by such means in any of the other molds illustrated. In order to form the sandpoeket of the mold and yet to exert a proper and even pressure upon the sand between the upper end of the pattern and the pressing-head k, the yielding pocket is preferably formed in the manner illustrated in said fignres. Said yielding pocket consists of a series'of blocks or rings a n 01 the central block a being supported by the pressing-head and yet vertically movable therein in suitable gui'deways. The central block it has a spring 1) fitting around the central or guide bar thereof and confined between it and the plate 'I'. Said plate 0' has the bars 1" extending down to the ring '12 and has a central sleeve 7*, fitting around the bar 1:) of the block a, and a spring 1, confined between thesaid plate r and the plate 3, which, like the plate 7", has the bars 3 extending down to the ring 01 as provided with ,the sleeve 3 fitting around the sleeve "1' and the spring 8 confined between said plate 8 and the yoke t of the plunger-head. By such construction the several parts of the yielding pocket 10 are adapted to yield against the pressure of sand, and yet at the same time to exert a suflicient pressure to properly compact the sand over the head of the pattern. In forming molds with this apparatus the pressing-head k is raised out 'of the way, the parts occupying the position shown in Fig. 5. The sand is filled within the main flask and the two reservoirs. The pressing-head 7.: is then brought into position and forced downwardly through the top reservoir (Z, while the pressing-plate g is forced upwardly through the bottom res ervoir b, and at the same time the pattern a is raised with the pressing-plate orafter the same, as may be desired. This action brings the necessary compacting pressure upon the sand and forces it from the two reservoirs in to the main flask, and as the sand extending over the curved or tapering upper end of the pattern might be subjected to too great pressure as soon as the proper pressure is exerted upon said body of sand, which is determined by the springs of the yielding .pocket, the central block a and the rings a n will yield under the pressure and permit part of the sand to enter the pocket so formed and so prevent the too tight packing of the sand over the curved upper end of the pattern.

As soon as the operation is completed, as

shownin Fig. 6, the pressing-headis raised, the top reservoir cZ removed,'the sand which has entered the pocket 70 may then be leveledofi and the pattern and lower pressing plate withdrawn, and the mold may then be finished by the placing of the core therein, as shown in Fig. 8. In all the above operations it will be noticed that the two packers or pressing-plates g and 7c are forced into the body of sand in opposite directions and that the sand is forced into the flask from the two reservoirs at opposite ends thereof, and as a consequence of this the sand within the flask is packed by pressure in opposite directions, which pressure affects the sand a sufficient distance from each end of the main flask inwardly to obtain the proper compacting thereor around the pattern, while as the pattern out. In case there is liability of too heavy pressure at any point above the pattern'this is overcome by the sand-pocket of the top pressing plate or head. As a result, the molds formed are packed with sullioient evenness for all practical purposes, and the necessary steps in making the mold can be easily understood the work can be porfm-mod either automatically or by unskilled labor.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In apparatus for forming molds, the combination of a flask, a bottom reservoir under the same, a top reservoir above the same, pressing-plates adapt ed to force the sand from said bottom reservoir and top reservoir respectively into the flask, and a pattern longitudinally movable within the flask through the bottom pressing-plate within the flask, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In apparatus for forming molds the combination of a flask, a hollo or tubular pattern extending upwardly into the flask, and having its upper end tapering to an edge, a pressing-plate within the hollow pattern, and

the flask, and thereby a pressing-plate surrounding the pattern, said pressing-plates being movable longitudinally with relation to the pattern, and a downuwn-dly-mm'ing pressing-plate adapted to h we the sand downwardly into the flask, subsr-in ially as and for the purposes set forth.

I In apparatus for forming molds, the combination of a flash-having parallel sides, a bottom reservoir under the same, a top reservoir above the same, vertically-moving pressing-plates adapted to force the sand from the bottom and top reservoirs respectively into compact the entire body of sand Within the flask and a pattern extending through the bottom pressing-plate into the flask, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said STEPHEN JARVIS ADAMS, have hereunto set my hand.

STEPHEN JARVIS A DAIllS.

Witnesses:

JAMES I. KAY, J. N. Cooke. 

